Method and apparatus for perforating or cutting a rapidly moving strip



Apnl 2, 1968 M. N. LEVY 3,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1966 nos INVENTOR. MURRAY N. LEVY ATTORNEYS Apnl 2, 1968 M. N. LEVY 3,375,743 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP Filed March 17, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /X;z FIG. 5

' INVENTOR. MURRAY N. LEVY I BY 232 FIG. l4 wfl w My ATTOR NE'YS A ril 2, 1968 M. N. LEVY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 17 1966 INVENTOR. M URRAY N. LEVY ATTORNEYS April 2, 1968 M- N. LEVY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP 5 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed March 17, 1966 FIG. 9

INVENTOR. MURRAY N. LEVY I use BY M pw m,

ATTORNEYS April 1958 M. N. LE VY 3,375,743

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 VBNTOR.

v 3 IN MURRAY N. LEVY BY v14 Filed March 17, 1966 AT TO R N E'YS United States Patent 3,375,743 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING OR CUTTING A RAPIDLY MOVING STRIP Murray N. Levy, Hatfield, Pa., assignor to E. W. Bliss Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 535,110 30 Claims. (Cl. 83--27) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is provided a method and apparatus for removing a sample coupon from a rapidly moving sheet. A punch having a peripheral cutting edge is dropped onto the sheet with the cutting edge facing the sheet, and then sheet and punch are passed through spaced rolls which force the punch through the sheet. This removes a por tion of the sheet, known as a coupon, so that subsequent removal of the punch carries away the coupon for testmg.

The present invention pertains to the art of perforating or cutting strip material and more particularly to a method and apparatus for perforating or cutting a rapidly moving strip of metal, plastic, or other material.

This invention is particularly applicable to punching out and retrieving a test or sample coupon from a metal strip moving at a high speed through a rolling mill, and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it will be appreciated that the invention has much broader uses. The invention may be used in punching or cutting various moving strip for a wide variety of purposes.

In the production of thin metal strip, or other similar strip, it is common practice to pass the strip at high speeds through a rolling mill having a series of spaced roll stands. As the strip issues from the last roll stand, it is immediately coiled for subsequent processing or for use. It is common knowledge within the art of rolling sheet metal that the physical characteristics of the rolled strip, such as its thickness,vhardness, ductility, and grain size, to mention only a few, must be controlled within certain somewhat narrow limits. These various properties of the strip often vary as the strip is being rolled through the mill; therefore, it is desirable, indeed generally essential, that the strip passing through the rolling mill be periodically tested to. determine its physical properties. This needto test the strip, when superficially considered, would seem to be a somewhat simple operation; however, the strip is moving through the mill at a surface speed which may be in the neighborhood of a mile-a-minute. Consequently, removal of a sample, known in the trade as a coupon, has presented serious problems.

Several plans have been suggested for removing a sample coupon from a strip passing at a high speed through a rolling mill. All of these prior plans have had certain distinct disadvantages. For instance, in one prior plan for removing a sample coupon from the moving strip, the mill was stopped; and, a slug or coupon was cut from the strip. Thereafter, the mill was again started. The disadvantages of this plan are obvious. The productivity of the mill was substantially reduced during the time that a sample was being removed. In addition, by stopping the mill, the temper or hardness of the strip, and'certain other of its properties, were seriously affected. All of these disadvantages have made any coupon removing system involving stoppage of the mill definitely unsatisfactory.

It has also been suggested to mount a punch on one side of the moving strip and a mating die on the other side of the strip. A sample was obtained by bringing the punch downwardly through the strip and into the die. This arrangement did produce the necessary sample cou- Patented Apr. 2,, 1968 ice and die were either mounted on rotary or translating elements which were accelerated to the speed of the strip in a relatively short distance to impart the necessary linear speed to the punch and die. These accelerating elements were relatively complex mechanisms. The mill speed often had to be reduced due to the inability of various accelerating mechanisms to increase the speed of both the punch and die to the high speed usually experienced in the rolling mill. There was still another disadvantage of this punch and die arrangement. The punch had to be accurately located with respect to the die. This was difficult when the sample was taken from the middle of a- Wide strip. In such an installation, the locating means had to be spaced substantially outboard of the punch and die. From this brief explanation of the punch and die mechanism for removing a sample coupon, it can be easily appreciated that this arrangement was not completely satisfactory. Other arrangements, such as flying shears, had been suggested for cutting samples from the moving strip without reducing the speed of the strip; however, again these arrangements presented locating, synchronizing, and inertia problems.

These and other disadvantages of prior arrangements for removing a sample coupon from a rapidly moving strip, especially a strip passing through a rolling mill, have been completely overcome by the present invention which is directed toward a method and apparatus for cutting a rapidly moving metal strip which does not in volve complicated mechanical elements.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cutting a strip rapidly moving along a given path, which method comprises the steps of providing a freely movable punch including a cutting edge on one side and a pressure surface on the other side, the edge and surface having a given vertical dimension; depositing the punch onto the moving strip with the cutting edge facing the strip; and, passing the strip with the punch thereon between pressure rolls rotating on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced from the path of the strip. In accordance with the invention, the roll surfaces are spaced from each other a distance less than the vertical dimension of the punch so that the cutting edge of the punch is forced through the strip as the punch moves with the strip between the spaced pressure rolls.

By this method, the cutting edge may be made into a closed shape, such as a circle, and the punch may be dropped onto the upper surface of a strip passing through a rolling mill. The strip then carries the punch through the spaced pressure rolls. As the punch and strip move through the pressure rolls, the pressure rolls force the punch through the moving strip to cut a circular sample coupon from the strip. This coupon is captured by the punch. After the punch is ejected from the "strip by an appropriate means the sample coupon is removed from the punch for testing purposesfThis procedure greatly simplifies the method of removing a small sample coupon from a rapidly moving strip. In essence, the punch is dropped on the strip which immediately accelerates the punch to the speed of the strip. There is no need for a complicated mechanism to accelerate the punch for the strip itself accelerates the punch. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the punch is supported by a flexible flat carrier which is either magnetized or has an electrostatic charge. In this manner the punch clamps itself onto the strip without bouncing with respect to the strip.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for cutting a strip moving at a high speed. This apparatus comprises a punch having a cutting edge on one side and a pressure surface on the other side, the punch having a side-to-side dimension of x. A first and second element on opposite sides of the strip path are used to define a space having a depth or width z. The Width 2 is equal to or less than the dimension x, and there are provided means for guiding the strip through the space and means for depositing the punch onto the moving strip with the cutting edge of the punch facing the strip.

By this apparatus, the movement of the strip and punch through the narrow space causes a rapid cutting action. Again, the punch is immediately accelerated to the speed of the strip as it is dropped or deposited onto the strip. This eliminates the need for a complicated mechanism for increasing the speed of the punch in a relatively short distance. This apparatus preferably includes a fiat, flexible carrier for the punch which adheres by magnetic or electrostatic forces onto the moving strip. This eliminates the possibility of the punch bouncing upwardly as it is being carried by the strip.

This apparatus is particularly applicable for removing a sample coupon from a strip moving through a rolling mill. The cutting edge of the punch is made into a closed figure, such as a circle, and the punch cuts a circular sample coupon from the strip as it passes through the relatively narrow space which, in case of the sample removal in a mill, is defined by spaced rotating pressure rolls. 7

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for cutting a rapidly moving strip, which method and apparatus do not require complicated mechanisms or heavy mechanical components that must be rapidly accelerated to the speed of the strip.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for cutting a rapidly moving strip, which method and apparatus uses the strip itself to accelerate the cutting element to the speed of the strip.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for cutting a rapidly moving strip, which method and apparatus uses a light weight cutting element that releasably adheres to the strip for accelerating the cutting element to the speed of the strip.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for cutting a rapidly moving strip, which method and apparatus includes the use of a punch mounted onto a flat adhesive carrier and a mechanism for forcing the punch through the strip as the punch is carried along by the strip.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for removing a sample coupon from a strip traveling at a high speed through a rolling mill, which method and apparatus does not require reduction of the strip speed or complicated aligning and accelerating mechanisms.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description used to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic, side elevational view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and a slight modification thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic plan view taken generally along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic side elevational view taken generally along line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3A is a partial, enlarged view taken generally along line 3a3a of FIGURE 3, and showing a slight modification thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a pictorial view illustrating the punch assembly utilized in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views, somewhat similar to FIGURE 5, and illustrating operating characteristics of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a pictorial view illustrating, somewhat schematically, the punch dispensing mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view illustrating the punch dispensing mechanism shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view showing the dropping mechanism for depositing a punch assembly onto the moving strip;

FIGURE 11 is a schematic side elevational view illustrating a modification of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 12 is a partial side elevational view showing, schematically, a further modification of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 13 is a pictorial view illustrating a modified punch utilized in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIGURE 14 is a pictorial view illustrating a further modified punch contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same, FIGURE 1 shows an apparatus A constructed in accordance with the present invention and adapted to remove a small sample C, best shown in FIGURE 7, from a rapidly moving metal strip B after the strip issues from the last stand S of a somewhat conventional rolling mill. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus A includes a novel, lightweight, easily transportable punch assembly P, best shown in FIGURES 47, which punch assembly will be hereinafter described in detail. Also included in the apparatus is a punch assembly dispenser D between stand S and a pressure roll stand R. Basically, upon a signal, the dispenser D deposits a punch assembly P onto the strip B, and the punch is immediately accelerated to the speed of the strip. The strip t-hen conveys the punch assembly through the pressure roll stand R. In a manner to be described later, the punch assembly and pressure rolls are so constructed that the punch assembly removes and captures the sample coupon C from the strip.

As the strip passes beyond the roll stand, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it is deflected around a roll 10. The inertia of the punch assembly with the captured sample coupon forces the punch assembly outwardly into a hopper 12 having an energy absorbing liner 14. Accordingly, a sample is cut from the strip and deposited, with the punch assembly, in the hopper 12. The punch assembly P moves with the strip, irrespective of the speed of the strip. There are no complicated mechanisms needed to accelerate the punch to a speed matching the speed of the strip.

FIGURE 1 also illustrates a slight modification of the portion of apparatus A which removes the punch assembly P from the strip. As the strip is wrapped onto the coil E the punch assembly is propelled toward a lower hopper 20 having an energy absorbing liner 21. This hopper intercepts the punch assembly. Since the diameter of the coil E continuously changes, the hopper 20 is pivotally mounted by shaft 22 journaled with respect to base 24 and biasedin an upwardly extending position by a spring 26. A hopper positioning mechanism 30, which may take a variety of structural forms, is provided with a control linkage 32 adapted to pivot the hopper 20* about the shaft 22. In some cases the shaft 22 may be translated with respect to base 24 while it is pivoted. The mechanism 30 also includes a coil feeler 34 which senses the diameter of the coil and positions the hopper in a line substantially tangential to the outer surface of the coil E, irrespective of the size of the coil. Of course, various other arrangements could be provided for shifting the hopper with respect to the coil. In addition, a relatively large stationary hopper could be provided for retrieving the punch assembly P as it is propelled from the coil. The modified arrangement for retrieving the punch assembly P including a hopper adjacent the coil E is primarily adapted for use when the deflection roll cannot be conveniently positioned between the pressure roll stand R and the coil. In other words, the use of the deflector roll 10 with a stationary hopper 1 is preferred.

The punch assembly P, best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, forms an essential element of the present invention. This assembly includes a punch 40 which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, is generally cup-shaped and has a peripherally extending cutting edge 42 which defines an inwardly extending cavity 44. The cutting edge is defined by a generally perpendicular inner surface 42a and an angular outer surface 42b. By having a perpendicular surface 42a defining the cavity 44, the coupon C is flexed after it is cut so that it is held by friction within the cavity. A pressure surface 46 is spaced vertically from the cutting edge and includes a knock-out hole 48, for a purpose to be described later. Another element of the punch assembly P is the generally flat punch carrier 51), which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, is flexible and includes a punch receiving aperture 52. The punch is held within the aperture by frictional force, by an adhesive, or by other similar arrangements. The carrier preferably has a large flat surface area so that it can drop or be deposited fiat onto the strip. A large area also enhances the holding or sticking characteristic of the punch assembly.

When the strip B is ferromagnetic, the flexible carrier 50 is formed from a permanent magnet material and preferably a flexible permanent magnet material which is now being widely used. This flexible material includes a plurality of finely divided permanently magnetized par ticles dispersed throughout and bonded within a flexible matrix. It is appreciated that the strip B may be nonmagnetic. In that case, the flexible carrier may be formed from a dielectric which is charged by an electrostatic charging head, which will be explained later. Carrier 50 includes an upper surface 54 and a lower surface 56. When the carrier is a permanent magnet, the surface 56 includes a plurality of magnetic poles which create flux lines 58. These flux lines are adapted to magnetically attract the carrier 50 onto the strip B Without a tendency for the carrier to bounce away from the strip.

As shown best in FIGURE 5, the total vertical height of the punch 40 is x. The thickness of the carrier 50 is w. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, w is slightly less than x so that the pressure surface 46 extends upwardly from the surface 54-. The combined thickness of both the strip and punch is y. The total vertical height of the punch 40 is an essential characteristic of the present invention, and the importance of this height will be described in connection with the operation of the present invention.

As previously mentioned, the punch assembly P passes through the roll stand R for the purpose of punching and capturing a sample coupon C. To accomplish this, the pressure roll stand R, best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, includes a schematically represented frame 60 and an upper pressure roll 62 with a peripheral hardened surface 64. Below the pressure roll 62 there is provided a back-up roll 70 having a removable outer rim 72 formed from a relatively soft metal, such as aluminum. In essence, the metal of rim 72 is softer than the metal used in forming the punch 4t) so that the punch can protrude into the rim during the cutting action of edge 42.

The rolls 62, 70 are adapted to rotate on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced on opposite sides from the path of movement of strip B. These axes are generally defined by drive shafts 82 which are, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, movable between two positions, as shown in FIGURE 2. The first position, shown in solid lines, illustrates the rolls 62, 70 in their operating position generally at the midpoint of the strip. Of course, these rolls could be positioned at various transverse locations with respect to the moving strip B. If a sample is to be taken from one edge of the strip, the rolls are positioned adjacent the edge. To make the position of the rolls less critical, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide the rolls 62, 70 with a width substantially the same as the total width of the strip. Such an arrangement isv shown in FIGURE 3A. The second position of the rolls 62, 70 is illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 2. In this position, the rolls are retracted from the strip. This movement of the rolls is p ecautionary, and it prevents any damage to the strip between sample taking operations.

The upper roll is mounted on somewhat conventional chocks with normal screw downs 84 for adjusting the spacing of the roll surfaces to provide a spacing 2 between surfaces 64, 72. The screw downs 84 adjust the rolls so that the spacing z is less than the thickness of the strip and equal to or less than the total height x of the punch 40. Preferably, the spacing z is slightly less than the vertical height x of the punch. The purpose of this spacing will be described later.

When a punch assembly P is not passing through the roll stand R, the strip B should not ride on the lower roll 70. To prevent this, the roll stand R is provided with exit and entrant guide rolls 90, 92, respectively. These rolls are adjusted with respect to the back-up roll 70 so the strip B does not contact either the pressure roll or the back-up roll until a punch assembly P passes through the stand. These guide rolls are particularly important when the rolls are not provided with a retracting mechanism to remove them from the path of the moving strip. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the rolls 62, 70 have a peripheral speed generally matching the linear speed of the strip. Various arrangements could be provided for this purpose; however, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, motors M1, M2 drive the respective rolls through schematically represented shafts 94, 96. Tachometers, or tach-generators, 100, 102 are adapted to produce a signal in accordance with the surface speed of the strip. These tachometers are connected by control lines 104, 106 with the motors M1, M2, respectively. In this manner, the motors are independently controlled so that they drive the respective rolls 62, 70 at speeds which produce peripheral roll surface speeds generally matching the linear speed of the strip B.

The apparatus A, as so far described, operates substantially in the following manner. When the dispenser D drops a punch assembly P onto the strip, the punch assembly immediately attaches to the strip and is pulled by the strip between the rolls 62, 70. The punching operation resulting from driving the punch assembly through the closely spaced rolls is illustrated in FIGURE 6. Since the spacing 2: between the rolls is equal to or slightry less than the total vertical height x of punch 40, the hardened surface 64 of roll 62 contacts the pressure surface 46 of the punch and drives the punch through the strip B. This severs a sample coupon C. The coupon is captured within the cavity 44 by the perpendicular surface 42a. Since the distance z is preferably less than the vertical height x, the cutting edge 42 of the punch enters into the removable rim 72 of roll 70. This causes a certain amount of marking on the soft surface of rim 72. For this reason, the rim 72 must be replaced when the marking becomes excessive. The rolls 62, 70 perform a simple cutting operation by driving the punch through the strip B. Thereafter the punch assembly P is projected 7 from the strip in accordance with one of the structures illustrated in FIGURE 1. As shown in FIGURE 7, the sample coupon C remains with the punch assembly so that an implement may be forced through knock-out hole 48 to remove the sample for subsequent testing. In essence, the present invention involves attaching the punch 40 in the proper position on the strip, allowing the strip to carry the punch through a confined space having a dimension z. In this manner, the punch is forced through the strip B as the strip is being conveyed at its normal speed. This concept is believed to be novel in the art of removing, periodically, sample coupons from a strip passing through a rolling mill at a relatively high speed.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus A includes a dispenser D for depositing the punch assembly P onto the strip B directly behind pressure rolls 62, 70. Of course, the punch assemblies could be dropped onto the strip by hand. However, to assure proper alignment and automatic operation, a dispenser D is used in practice. This dispenser is best shown in FIGURES 8-10 and includes an elongated endless storage conveyor 110 having an inner support structure 112 and an outer frame 113. Spaced sprockets 114, 116 support drive chains 120 on opposite sides of the conveyor. These chains are provided with a plurality of outwardly extending trays, each adapted to receive one of the punch assemblies P. The use of trays prevents adherence of the various magnetic punch assemblies. The trays 122 are formed from nonmagnetic material so that they do not tend to attract the carriers 50 of the punch assemblies when they are magnetic.

The details of trays 122 are best shown in FIGURE 10. These trays include an outwardly opened end 130 and an aperture 132 adjacent the inner end. A movable partition is provided within each tray. The partition is secured with respect to the back wall of the tray by spaced tension springs 136, only one of which is shown. In other words, as the partition is forced toward the opened end 130, the springs 136 bias the partition toward the back wall of the tray, Sprockets 116 are driven intermittently by an indexing motor 140. To stop the trays at the proper position, there is provided a limit switch 142 having a conventional feeler 144. This limit switch assures that a loaded tray stops in the position shown in FIGURE 10, after motor 140 is cycled.

Outboard of the conveyor 110 there is provided a dropping mechanism 150 including spaced finger gates 152, 154. These gates are pivoted respectively upon spaced rods 156. Gear segments 160, 162 are intermeshed and attached onto the ends of the pivotal rods 146. A rotary solenoid 164 is adapted to periodically rotate the segments 160, 162 in unison. This pivots the finger gates 152, 154 into the phantom line position shown in FIG- URE 10. In this manner, a punch assembly P is dropped from the mechanism 150 onto a position, or spot, v which is directly aligned with the pressure rolls 62, 70. In other words, the dropping mechanism 150 is directly aligned with the pressure rolls. If the pressure rolls are moved transversely with respect to the strip for sampling various areas of the strip, an appropriate mechanism is provided for causing a corresponding change in the position of dropping mechanism 156. If the rolls 62, 70 have a width equal to the width of the strip, as shown in FIG- URE 3A, the strip B may be sampled at various positions by changing only the dropping point v of the mechanism 150. The dropping mechanism 150, at its outer end is provided with a stop, or abutment, 166 which accurately locates the punch assembly P as it is unloaded from the conveyor 110 in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Referring again to FIGURE 10, there is provided an unloader 170 directly opposite the dropping mechanism 150, This unloader may take a variety of structural embodiments; however, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unloader in cludes a double acting solenoid 172 having a relatively long actuated rod 174. A shoulder 176 is provided on the enlarged outward end of the rod to form an abutment limiting the movement of the rod to the right as shown in FIGURE 10.

In operation of the dispenser D, the punch assemblies P are deposited in the trays 122. When a test sample coupon is to be taken from the strip, the rolls 62, 70 are moved to the proper position with respect to the strip, and, if necessary, the dispenser or dropping mechanism is moved to its proper position. Indexing motor is then actuated until the limit switch 142 indicates that a loaded tray is directly opposite solenoid-172. The motor 140 is then deactuated and solenoid forces a punch assembly outwardly onto the gates 152, 154 of mechanism 150. The punch assembly is moved until it rests against the stop or abutment 156. Thereafter, the solenoid 172 is retracted until shoulder 176 abuts the housing of the solenoid. This retracts the rod 174 from the aperture 132. When this has been accomplished, rotary solenoid 164 is actuated to drop the punch assembly P onto point or position v of the moving strip B. As soon as the punch assembly contacts the strip, it tenaciously adheres thereto. The strip immediately accelerates the punch to the speed of the strip and drives the punch through the rotating rolls 62, 70. In this manner, the cutting operation previously described takes place.

If the strip should be nonmagnetic, there is provided, as shown in FIGURE 9, a corona discharge head 180 directly above the dropping mechanism 150. The carriage 50 is formed from a dielectric material instead of a permanent magnet material. Before the punch assembly is dropped onto the strip B, a signal discharges the head 180 to deposit an electrostatic charge onto the carrier 50 of the punch assembly. This charge creates an electrostatic field which is used in a manner similar to the permanent magnet field for tenaciously adhering the punch as sembly immediately onto the strip. Of course, the dropping head 150 should be as close as possible to the strip so that the punch assembly has very little kinetic energy as it strikes the strip. The kinetic energy of the punch assembly is also substantially reduced by providing the assembly having very little overall weight. The carrier 50 should have a substantially large surface to assure perpendicular collision between the carrier and the strip.

The sequence of operation for the dispenser D is only representative, and various changes could be made. For instance, the punch assembly could be previously moved to the dropping mechanism 150. A sampling signal would then move the rolls 62, 70, if need be, and drop the punch assembly. Thereafter, the conveyor and unloader would place the next punch assembly onto the dropping mechanism for subsequent use.

In some mills, the coil is rolled in an upward direction so that the punch assembly can not be removed by either a deflecting roll 10 or the coil itself. A modification of the present invention for removing the punch assembly in such an installation is illustrated in FIGURE 11. In accordance with this modification, the hole caused by removal of the sample coupon C is passed directly over one or more jets 192, 194. An inlet line 196 is controlled by a valve 198 to direct pressurized gas from the jets and through the hole 190. This air has suflicient pressure to float the punch assembly upwardly as shown. An intercepting baffle 200 formed from nonmagnetic material isprovided with an entrant end 202 and an exit end 204. The entrant end scoops up the intercepted punch assembly, and the kinetic energy of the moving assembly drives the assembly around the baffle to the exit end. A hopper 206 is adapted to catch the punch assembly as it issues from end 204. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the baffie is curved to form a vortex. Of course, other arrangements could be provided for intercepting the upwardly floated punch assembly. The valve 198 is opened before hole 190 passes thereover and remains open until the hole has definitely passed. This eliminates any need for extremely accurate control of the valve 198.

In some rolling mill installations, the pressure roll stand R and the dispenser D cannot be located on a constant horizontal pass. In fact, in some installations the only available area for apparatus A is between the last guide roll and the coiler. For this reason, FIGURE 12 illustrates an adaptation of apparatus A for a location where the path of the strip is continuously changing. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the roll stand R is reciprocally mounted by a structure, not shOWn, and a servo motor 210 with a movable rod 212 controls the vertical position of the roll stand with respect to the path of strip B. As the path of the strip changes, the roll stand R also changes correspondingly. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a servo control 214 varies the position of rod 212 upon response from a feeler 218, adapted to ride against the outer surface of the coil E. The dispenser D may be stationary or may be movable in a manner similar to the roll stand R. A person having ordinary skill in the rolling mill art would readily appreciate the necessary controls utilized for adapting the apparatus of the present invention to a movable strip path as shown in FIGURE 12.

In some situations, it is desirable to extract a plurality of sample coupons across the strip. This can be done with apparatus A, previously described, by shifting the position of the dropping mechanism 150. Another arrangement can be provided for simultaneously extracting a plurality of spaced samples. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG- URE 13 wherein an elongated punch assembly P is provided with spaced punches 40 mounted within a flat carrier 220 having the same properties as the carrier 50 of punch assembly P. Pressure rolls 62, 70 must have a width corresponding to the width of the punch assembly P so that each punch 40 removes a sample from the strip B as it passes between the pressure rolls. Any number of punches 40 could be provided on the carrier 220.

In some mills, it is desirable to sever the strip periodically. An apparatus similar to apparatus A can be used for this purpose. Referring to FIGURE 14, a punch assembly P" is provided with a transversely extending cutting element 230 having a lower cutting edge 232 and an upper pressure surface 234. The cutting element is mounted within a carrier 240 having basically the same properties as carriers 50 and 220. Upon a signal, the punch assembly P" can be dropped transversely across the strip and passed between the pressure rolls to sever the strip. This arrangement could be utilized in the case of emergencies or periodically during normal operation.

The present invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred use of apparatus in sampling the moving strip of a rolling mill; however, it should be realized that the invention has many other applications. Changes may be made in the structural embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the pres ent invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A method of removing a sample coupon from a strip moving at a high speed along a given path, said method comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a punch having a peripheral cutting edge defining a cavity and having a total vertical height or;

(b) providing a pair of rolls one on each side of said strip path and rotatable on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced from said path, the surfaces of said rolls having a spacing z, with z being equal to or less than x;

(c) depositing said punch onto said moving strip with said cutting edge facing said strip;

(d) passing said punch with said strip between said rolls whereby said cutting edge cuts a sample coupon from said strip and deposits said coupon in said cavity; and

(e) removing said punch and coupon from said moving strip.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 including the additional step of:

(f) rotating said rolls at a speed where their peripheral surface speed matches the speed of said strip.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said strip is ferromagnetic and including the step of:

(f) attaching said punch onto said strip by magnetic attraction.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said strip is nonmagnetic and including the step of:

(f) attaching said punch onto said strip by electrostatic attraction.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said depositing step includes dropping said punch onto said moving strip.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said rolls includes a surface softer than the cutting edge and including the additional step of:

(f) forcing said cutting edge into said softer surface while said punch passes between said rolls.

7. A method for cutting a strip rapidly moving along a given path, said method comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a freely movable punch including a cutting edge on one side and a pressure surface on the other side, said edge and surface having a given vertical dimension;

(b) depositing said punch onto said moving strip with said cutting edge facing said strip; and

(c) passing said strip with said punch thereon between pressure rolls rotating on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced from said path and said rolls having surfaces spaced from each other a distance less than said vertical dimension whereby said cutting edge is forced through said strip.

8. A method as defined in claim 7 including the additional step of:

(d) removing said punch from said moving strip after said punch passes between said rolls.

9. A method for perforating a strip rapidly moving along a given path, said method comprising the following steps:

(a) dropping an adherent cup shaped punch onto said moving strip, said punch having a peripheral cutting edge facing said strip and a total vertical height (b) passing said punch with said strip through a space having a height 2, with 2 being equal to or less than x whereby said cutting edge perforates said strip; and

(c) removing said punch from said strip after it passes through said space.

10. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon from a strip moving at a high speed along a given path, said apparatus comprising: a punch having a. peripheral cutting edge defining a cavity and having a total vertical height x; a pair of rolls one on each side of said strip path; means rotatably mounting said rolls on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced from said path; the peripheral surfaces of said rolls having a spacing z, with 1 being equal to or less than x; means for depositing said punch onto said strip with said cutting edge facing said strip and in line with said rolls whereby said punch is conveyed by said strip between said rolls where said cutting edge passes through said strip and severs a sample coupon which is captured within said cavity; and, means for removing said punch and sample coupon from said moving strip.

11. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 10 wherein said punch is mounted in a flat resilient carrier having an upper and lower surface, said lower surface adapted to lie flat against said strip as the punch is conveyed between the rolls.

12. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as 1 1 defined in claim 11 wherein said strip is ferromagnetic and said carrier is permanently magnetic.

13. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 12 wherein said carrier is a flexible sheet formed from permanently magnetized particles and a flexible binder.

14. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 11 wherein said strip is nonmagnetic and said carrier includes means for releasably holding said carrier onto said. strip.

15. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 14 wherein said carrier holding means is an electrostatic charge.

16. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 10 including means for holding said punch above said strip, aligned with said rolls and with said cutting edge facing said strip; and means responsive to a signal for dropping said punch onto said strip.

17. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 16 wherein said holding means includes at least one pivotally mounted element below said punch and in holding engagement therewith, and said signal responsive means is a motor means for pivoting said element from holding engagement with said punch.

18. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 16 including a storage device for a plurality of said punches, and means for selectively moving a punch from said storage device into said holding means.

19. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 10 wherein said punch removal means includes a means for abruptly changing the direction of said path whereby said punch and coupon are propelled from said path in a given line.

20. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 19 including a hopper supported on said given line to receive said punch and coupon.

21. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 10 wherein said punch removal means includes a nozzle on the side of said strip opposite said punch; said nozzle being aligned with the path of movement of said punch; and means for forcing pressurized gas through said nozzle at least when said punch passes said nozzle whereby said punch is blown away from said strip; and means for catching said punch.

22. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 21 wherein said catching means includes a batfie with an entrant end for intercepting said punch and an exit end; and a hopper at said exit end for receiving said punch.

23. An apparatus for removing a sample coupon as defined in claim 10 including means for retracting said rolls from said strip.

24. An apparatus for cutting a strip moving at a high speed along a given path, said apparatus comprising: a punch having a cutting edge on one side and a pressure surface on the other side; said punch having a side-to-side dimension x; a first and second element on opposite sides of said path and defining a space having a depth 1, 1 being equal to or less than x; means for guiding said strip through said space; and means for depositing said punch onto said moving strip with said cutting edge facing said strip. 25. An apparatus for cutting strip as defined in claim 24 wherein said first and second elements are rolls rotatably mounted on axes generally perpendicular to and spaced from said path.

26. An apparatus for cutting strip as defined in claim 24 including means for removing said punch from said strip after said punch moves through said space.

27. An apparatus for cutting strip as defined in claim 24 wherein said punch is mounted on a fiat, flexible carrier.

28. An apparatus for cutting strip as defined in claim 27 wherein said carrier is formed from permanently magnetized particles in a flexible matrix. 29. An apparatus for cutting strip as defined in claim 24 wherein said depositing means includes an escapement device above said strip for dropping said punch onto said strip.

30. A punch for cutting ferromagnetic sheet material, said punch comprising a fiat, flexible permanent magnet carrier with first and second surfaces and a cutting element held within said carrier, said element having a cutting edge adjacent said first surface and a pressure surface adjacent said second surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,168,401 8/1939 Evers 83284 2,679,291 5/1954 Collinson 83284 3,199,390 8/1965 Arnould 83284 3,228,275 1/1966 Taber 83284 X 3,301,110 1/1967 Stegner 83-652 X WILLIAM S. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

